Vehicle



Apriljzl, 1942.

T. DE RCNDDE VEHICLE Filed Apr'i1.,10,` 1937 1e :sheets-sheet 1 h'me vle Roode Swings April 21, 1942- I'r. DE Robbe 2,280,065

' VEHICLE Filed plilI 1.0, 1937 16 ShetS-Sheet 2 HUI" 1 hihi I' ff. /f Inventor Wmze' Ze Roode April l21, -1942. f `T'. .DE am;

VEHICLE l Filed April 1o, i957 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 Wzmle de Roode Apri121,1942. T DE mob- 2,280,065

VEHICLE Filed April 1o,- 1937 16 sheets-sheet@ I Roode zwem-fr.-

T. m: RQobE vEaIcLE Filed April 1o, 1937 April 21,b 1942.

16 sheets-sheet 9W Inde/lfm" j Trz'mll'e de Roode www@ 1Ds RoDE 2,280,065

April 2l, 1.942.

` VEHICLE Filed April 1o, 193'? l 1e, sheets-sheet 1d j April 21 1942,.- 'nbs Rom;

VEHICLE Filled April 10, 193'? 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 .Inde/dbf' frz/able de Roode fr. DE Romana April 21, 19,42.

VEHICLE Filed April 10, 193'? 16 Shets-Sheet 12 lll ` April y21, 1942. T. be Rooo VEHICLE Filed Apri; 10, 19:57

April 21, i942.

T. DE ROQDE VEHICLE Filed April 10, 1937 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 l'-.1s.pril21, 1942. "T. Dmoz-D 2,280,065

VEHICLE Filed April io, 1957 1e sheets-sheet y1ev Patented Apr'. 21, 1942 vaincus Trimble de Roode, New York, 1 7.'- Appuestiohaifpl'm, is'szseusme. 136,131 whims. (01. 214-1121) Y This invention relates to passenger accomino` dations for transport planes, ships, trains; motor buses, and other vehicles where a relatively large number of people are to be taken care o f in a limited space for both day and night travel.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide passenger accommodations with-A in limited space which win be comfortable for' day travel and which can be converted into-equally comfortable berths for night travel. Y

A further object is to provide chairs adjustable to suit the comfort of day passengers andeach group of three of such chairs or group of three pairs of such chairs is adapted to bevconverted into two berths for night travel. In other words, each three chairs or three pairs of chairs may be converted into two berths. f f

A further object is to divide each chair into a pair of chairs arranged side by side with sufficient space between each pairof chairs for the placing of an arm rest of sufficient width to4 provide a comfortable support for the two occupants of the chairs; to arrange for the removal of the arm rest and shifting of the chairs together when the chairs areto To provide each chair with independentmeans for independently reclining it to suit the comfort of the occupant and to be easily and' conveniently adjustable by A'the occupant when a change of reclining position is desired, and to `arrange the chairs to be convertible into` berths easily., and quickly without requiring additional cushions. The cushions incorporated in three chairs-or pairs of chairs are suilicientto make two full` berths.

A further object is to provide av convertible chair or pairof chairs which can be manipulated to form a berthwith the chair or pair of chairs forwardly thereof whereby the chair, or pair of chairs, to the rear need not be disturbed nor deprived of their normal leg space'.

4It will be understood that each chair may be arranged as herein shown as a pair of separatable chairs or as a single chair of greater width with# out in anyway modififying this invention-.and therefore generally each pair of chairs will be referred to as a chair. f

-A further object is to provide convertible chairs wherein a series of three thereof may be formedy into` two berths and whereby the center chair with either of the other chairs maybe converted Y into a berth without disturbing the other chair or its occupant. l

A further object is to provide cushions either mounted permanently in horizontal position or be converted into berths.

accommodations which hinged to the wall forming the end of the passenger compartment for completing a berth when.V one set of chairs is left over when all'of the berths are made up. i

In some layouts it may be of advantage to leave a pair of seats which are t formed into aberth so that passengers may si vup during the night.

A further object is to provide an upper berth v for each lower berth and which upper berth can be closed out of` the way during-day travel: also to provide curtains giving the occupants ofthe upper and lower berths a private dressing space, together with complete privacy. y

p A further object is to use the' arm rests' of `the chairs for providing a flight of stairs for the occupant to comfortably reach the upper berth. the upper step of which is vthe center arm rest which is of sufi'icient width to provide a foot-rest for the occupant ofthe upper berth for convenience in dressing and undressing.

A further object is toprovide day and night will give the maximum of seating andsleeping capacity within limited space, which will be comfortable for the occupants for both day and night travel, and which will be safe, strong, and light in weight.

A further object isto arrange the convertible chairs whereby suitcases ory other articles may be placed thereunder when adjusted for day or night travel.

other objects rand advantages will be apparent as the nature of the same is more fully'inderstood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth what is now considered to It should be understood, however, that this particular embodiment of thein'vention is chosen principally for the purpose of exempliiication and the variations therefrom in details of constructhe Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged fragmental sectional view taken in the plane of line l-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 ilustratesan enlarged vertical view of be a preferred embodiment. Y

` chairs as itwould chair in detail.

upper and lower several of the convertible chairs and indicating in broken lines thel dillerentposltions the chairs may'beadiusted.'

' Fig. 6 issimilar yto Fig. 5 but illustrates the manner of forming two berths from three of the chairs. l

'Fig. 'I illustrates an enlarged' fragmental view partially in section of one of the back cushion structures as it.` would appear when adjusted to form a portion of one of the berths.

` Fig. la isa viewl similar to Flg. 'l but showing the back. cushion structure of another of the appear when adjusted to form the second berth.

- Fig.; 8 illustrates an enlarged fragmental partially sectional view of the aisle chair of the pair and the manner by which it is moved into contact with the window c Y Fig. 9 illustrates a iragmental partially sectionalviewnof the aisle chair and showing the chair frame and its supporting tracks which permit movement into close contact with the window chair.

Fig. 10 illustrates a fragmental view of the Fig. 11 illustrates in perspective one of the yberths and the curtains therefor.

Fig. 12 illustr tes a sectional plan view of the passenger compartment of a transport plane, which has been equipped with a modication of this invention.

Fig. 1 3 illustrates a v of Fig. 12. I

Fig, 14 illustrates an enlarged sectional view rtical sectional view j taken in the plane of line M-Il of Fig. 12.

Fig. l illustrates an enlarged sectional view taken in the piane of line I5-l5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, one of the convertible chairs.

Fig. 17 illustrates the upper back portion of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 illustrates in full lines one of the convertible chairs and in broken lines some of the diilerent positions to which it may be adjusted.

Fig, 19 illustrates the escapement means for controlling the position of the seat.

Fig. 20 illustrates the sectional view of Fig. 19 'taken in the-plane of line 20-20 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 ilustrates in perspective the upper and lower berths, the curtains and brace-wires therefor.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate the different arrangement of the curtains for use in trains where the direction of travel may be forward or backward.

Fig. 24 illustrates a fragmental view of the manner in which the arm rests may be .arranged to provide a flight of stairs for the occupant to reach the upper berth.

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration, showing the manner in which the seat may be adjusted to form the berth.

Fig. 26 is a plan view in section, showing the invention applied to a drawing room for an air liner.

Fig. 27 illustrates a vertical sectional view of Fig. 26,

Figs. 283 and. 29 illustrate fragmental sectional plan `view s of a modified form of the entrance portion of the vehicle.

In the modiilcation of the invention illustratedin Figs. 1 through 11, the invention has been shown as arranged in a transport plane but it is to be understood that it maybe used in any vided with vertical other vform of' vehicle or placewherea large number of people are to be accommodated for night and day within limited space.4 understood that the number of chairs'and the arrangement of the chairs can be changedto suit the size and shape of the passenger compartment in which they are assembled without in any way changing' theinventive concept.

In Fig. 1 the hull oi the air plane is indicated at 50 as being of standard construction and having windows 5l. The main cabin is lof sufiicient length and width to accommodate two rows of chairs 52, each row having 10 chairs in line so'that for day travel the main cabin can accommodate 40 passengers. It will be noted that the rowof chairs on each side ofthe ship is divided and it is to be understood that if preferred each pair of chairs may be arranged as single units with, or without arm rests therebetween. However, it is preferable to provide chairs of the divided type. Thus each row will have two chairs in side-by-side relation with suflicient room therebetween for a full sized arm rest to be pro--` vided for the passenger occupying each of the chairs lin the pair. where I mention in this specification a chair it may be considered to include a pair of chairs such as shown in Fig. 1, or a single chair of sub-` stantially the same width.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the manner in which three of the chairs may be manipulated to provide two berths which in these views are indicated at 53. It will be understood that for each three sets of chairs two berths may be made up. As each row includes 10 chairs or three groups of 3 chairs each, and that two berths may be made up for each group of 3 chairs, it follows that for each of the two rows, six berths can be provided, or in all 12 lower berths, with an equal num- .ber of upper berths, making24 berths in all. In each row of chairs one pair will be left after all berths are made up to accommodate passengers not ,requiring berths. i

It will be understood, however, that in place ofthe ten sets of chairs in each row, only nine or multiples of three may be provided s0 that berths will be made up for all of the chairs, thereby providing an extremely flexible arrangement; or, Where the number of chairs is to exceed a multiple of three, additional cushions may be provided to make up a complete vberth for the odd chair, or chairs, left over.

Referring to Figs. 4 through 7, the construction of the chairs is clearly shown therein to include side frames 54 for the aisle chair of the pair which at its front and rear portions is prosupporting tubular sections 55 having T-sections 56 fastened to the lower ends thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 9, and arranged to slide in T-slots 51 formed in the floor 58 of the vehicle, whereby the aisle chair may be shifted to engage the side of the window chair' 58 which is preferably xedly mounted in the vehicle. 'I'he window chair 58 is provided lwith side frames 60 which are substantially of the same construction as those comprising thelside frame members of the aisle chair Si excepting that they are not provided with the T sections 56. The seat frames 60 are provided with cross l It will be understood that 4shownln Fig. 4,

` *slopes It---will tubes' is provided with one or when the seat is to described.-

' cushion.

. l aandoet seat. 'one of the chairframes u ofthe aisleits adjusted positions. In/other respects thetaisle andwindow chairs are substantiallylof the same construction and therefore the description-of the aisle chair will cover the descriptionoLtheMwin-y f ,dow chair. i

4'I'he cross tube ll is the'frame u with tube Il connected provided intermediate of va sleeve 61 carrying a short by 'means of varms Il and. as constitutes what may bereferred ,to as .seat bracket 'Il for the purposeV of giving seat cushion structure 'vll a comfortable be noted that each of the cross of these seat brackets.

However, one only is made use of at a time. The

4one4 not in useis swung to be clear of the cushion structure 1I, as shown most clearly in Fig, 9'.- Interposed between the chair frame Il is across tube 12 which not vonly acts as a reiniorcementlfor theseat framebut also provides a point of support for the seat cushion structure as well as a pivotal support for the supporting yframe 13 'which carries the back cushion structure 14.

The construction of the seat cushion `structure 'I l, 'and .its manner ot mountingupon the `chair,trainery will now be described: 'This structure is Maudedwitnadismsmped metallic botp'late l"having formed therein, or otherwise provided, `transverse Asehiicylindrical depressions i 1i 4(ll'i'gs. 8 and 9) for engagement with-the cross 1 tube 12 and the seat bracket 1I whereby the seat' structure is keyed to these elements and thereby prevented from moving. The member-1i is releasably latched to the cross tubes 'I2 and 8l by means or.' the latch spring n which-1s pivotal-1y connected to the member l5 by any suitable pivot v ameansx'll- (Fig. 9). To suitably support the spring latch 11 the dish member is provided with-a circular ilange'portion 19 `against which -the surface oi'lthe spring latch may bear to-assist in` maintaining the latch securely in engage- -m'ent'with the members 'I2 and il and also for holding the latchln--its proper position when 4 swung to release the cross tubes when the seat is to be'positioned for the making up of a berth,

In Fig. v8 it will be noted thatthe seat cover.

be reversed. as will be later i' structure outwardly extending 10 behind the cross the pair of chairs may be faced forvard while i the other is faced rearwardly, thus giving a very ilexible chair, arrangement which will readily accommodate the needs of the occupants.- The for supporting the back cushion structure includes the cross tube l! which tube forms one 'portiox'of the supporting frame 'Il `having to each end of the tube. The free ends of the arms Il arconnected .by suitable pivot means Il to theback cushionstructure Il thus per'- mitting the structure to pivot withrelation to the arms Il. The back seat structure Il may include side frames l1 providing a-.flrm support for the pivotal connection with the arms and also for vmounting of4 the upholstery Il of the back'cushion. As may be observed most clearly in Figs." and 7a, cushion structure 14 extend beyond the cushion Il. The lower end portions of members Il latch tube N and pivot about this tube duringthe ,adjustmentofthe back seat structure todiiferent inclinations. The end'portions of member l1 are used to-support theback cushion structure when the seat4 is manipulated v to make upa berth.

Suitablecross bracing means, not shown,` may be used 4for providingI a rigid frame to which the cushion Il is fastened in any suitable man- 'ner.A The. backseat structure can beadjusted tion when used as a chair,

as indicated in broken lines 1in this figure, or may be positioned horizontally when used to makeup the berth, which position is indicated in broken lines for the third Any formof means for Il may befastened to the dish member 15 in any suitable manner to enclose suillcientcushion material vll to provide a comfortable seat Referring to Fig. 9 it will be observed that the cross tube 12 is. equally spaced between the cross tubes. il so'that the cushion may be positioned as shown in Fig. 9, or its position may be reversed, as shown in broken lines'in Fig. 5, in

Vwhich figure the cylindrical depressions will engage the'center cross tube 12 andthe opposite -seat bracketor support 10 from which it was l originally supported.' Due to this construction,V

the seat cushion structure maybe' positioned for theA occupant to siteither forward or backward in the seat; in .other words, the seat maybe reversed. The` back cushion structure is. also rever-sible, thereby making-the seat flexible for different directions of travel and conditions. Such,

tor example. as when a group of passengers wish to face each other for conversation or'for playing cards, as is shown in Fig. 1 by the group of chairs fastened to the adjacent 'the'distance of the member. The escapement member 92 is posiwhere, upon release of chair in Fig. 5, or for the three chairs in Fig. 6.

controlling the `adjustability-of the seat back structure may be provided. The preferred form shown herein includesfastening upon one end of shaft Il an escapement wheel 90 having teeth 9|.

- escapement wheel is The enclosed within an escapement member 02 pivotally connected to one of the chair side frames by pivot means 93 and'having stop teeth escapement wheel will be permitted to one-toothfor each oscil ation of tionedon the; side of the chair frame in convenient reach of the occupant so that by pressing upon the back cushion structure and oscillating the escapement member 92 the back structure will become inclined until such a position is reached 4as suits ythe comfort of the occupant the escapement member, the back structure will be locked.

A torsionalspring is provided surrounding the cross tubel 12 and having one of its ends chair side frame il,

while its other end may be inserted `through a suitable hole formed through the cross tube 12 and shaft Il, `thereby acting to rotatethe shaft and cross tube as a unit, the end ofthe spring arms l5 securely fastened the side frames Il of the backy vance i The spring 00, as stated, is ar'- vHowever when the seat structure is swung to either side of its center position, tension will be tending to return the back structure to its vertical position. i

However. preferred, two springs may be used in place of the single spring, one to act upon the baci;- structure-when adjusted to one side of its vertical center, and the other toact upon said structure when angles to the other side of its center position.

The ends of the side frames 01 of the back cushion structure which extends above the cushions '0 are used normally to provide for the support of a suitable head rest |00 as shown in the second chair of Fig. 5, where it will be noted that the head rest pillow |0| is folded down so as to rest upon the upper end of cushions 00 between these two ends of the structure frame and held in place by means of a pillow case or bag |02 Y slipped over the pillow frame ends and upper portion of cushion 00 and fastened by any suitable means, not shown. A

Each chair isprovided with a safety belt |03 formed of two straps |04 and |05 which may be adJusted to fit the wearer by means of a buckle |00. l

Referring especially to Fig. that the strap |04, which carries the buckle |08 of chair Il. is fastened to a suitable eye |01 formed at the upper edge of the chair frame 5l,

while the shorter strap |05 is fastened to a -similar eye formed at thefupper edge of the opposite chair frame.

It will also be noted in this figure that for the window chair 59 the arrangement of the straps is Just reversed. That is, the strap |00, which is the long strap, is fastened to the farthest chair frame 00, while the short strap |00, carrying the buckle H0, is attached to the opposite chair frame I0.

When the chairs are moved together for the purpose oi making up a berth, the short straps |05 and |00 are permitted to fold down on the berth cushions while the straps |03 and |00 are used to hold the occupant within the berth. Each chair is provided with arm rests which are clearly shown in Fig. 4, 'wherein the arm rest I l is positionedito the aisle side of the chair 6I and positioned between the =two chairs is an arm rest H2 of double width so that it may be used by occupants in each of the seats without interfering with each other. The window chair 59 is provided with an arm rest H3 which is supported on a bracket H4 projecting from the side of the hull 00.

'.It will be noted that the legs H5 of the arm rest H3 are considerably shorter than the legs for the other two arm rests, and is made to form the first or lowermost step in the flight of steps tor the occupant of the'upper berth. Each of the arm rests is removably mounted in the floor 50 of the vehicle by providing suitable sockets H6 in the door having snap recesses H1, and a each of .the legs of the with a projection H0 having a spring groove H9 for the usual snap spring so that when the arm rest is positioned in the socket lit will be releasably retained therein. catch is common *iny the art derstood.

As may be noted alud'will be well unlin lFig. 4, the center arm rest to permit this arm rest to be of length, this additional length being found of developed in the spring v so that the occupant may,

4, it will be noted arm rests is provided This form of spring cross tube 12 will advantage when the arm rest is used for a step. in which location the arm rest is' not rec but rests upon the top surface of the floor. (In this relation note Fig. 11.)

As previously stated. the chairs may be reversed at will. face forwardly or rearwardly. The chair is reversed by first removing thepillow case |02, the head rest pillow |0I, actuating the escapement member 02 until the back structure reaches its most upward position, and thereafter, while continuing the oscillation of the vescapement member, manually urging the back to continue in its movement until the extending end of 01 are released from the cross tubes il, whereupon the back structure may be swung about its pivot means 88 until the upper extending ends of the frame can face of the opposite cross tube 64 and the motion continued until the seat has reached the desired position of adjustment when the head rest |00 may be fastened upon the angled forwardly extending frame end, as previously described.

While the extending ends of the back structure frames 01 are released from the cross tubes the seat structure 1| should be released by turning the spring latch 11 yto free the latch from the cross tube 12 and seat bracket tube 68 whereupon the seat structure can be shifted until the cylindrical depressions 16, which formerly engaged the tube 68 of the seat bracket, and the now engage the opposite seat bracket 10 which may be brought into engagement with the cylindrical depressions 18 which formerly rested upon the cross seat 12. The seat being positioned the spring latch 11 will be returned into locking engagement with the cross tube 12 and tube 08 of the seat bracket 10.

In Fig. 5 the third chair illustrates, in full lines. the chair facing forwardly, while in broken lines the chair is illustrated in its reverse position.

The convertible chairs of this invention may be easily and quickly manipulatedl to convert three chairs into two berths by the following operation: First the three arm rests IH, H2 and H3 are removed and set aside until the berth is made up when theyl are inserted in additional `sockets in the floor 58 for the placing of the short arm rest H3 and the wide, middle arm rest H2 in the position shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 6 to provide a flight of stairs for reaching the upper berth. As the center arm rest H2 is of double width Vit provides a convenient foot-rest for the occupant of the upper berth while sitting on the side of such berth while putting on or removing his shoes. socks and the like.

The next operation will be to release the three seat structures by rotating the spring latches 11 and then swinging the back structure of the rst chair, which is designated A in Fig. 6. During this movement it will be advisable to move the seat structure of this chair rearwardly until the cylindrical depressions 16 rest upon the center cross tube 12 and the rear cross tube il. It will be noted in this instance that the seat bracket 10 is not used so that the seat cushion will be positioned in a horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 6. The seat structure will be locked in this position by lthe spring latch 11 clamping under thecross tubes 12 and 64 in the manner previously described. To lock the back structure in its horizontal position for forming the slightly longer Y the back structure frames.

be guided to engage the inner sur' 

